S
Platform for innovation and cooperation
trategic Business Development con-
also allow us to help SMEs quickly find their
cerns itself with bringing together
way through the UT’s organisation,’ he says.
There are many possibilities for co-
everything that happens within and
Although the regional position is important,
operation with a university, but as an
outside the UT. Kerpisci: ‘For scientists, we
SBD also strives to facilitate collaboration
external party it is not always easy to
are a centre of expertise. With our impact
at the national level. ‘We match portfolios
find your way in what you can do with
academy, we help research talent present
related to such topics as cybersecurity, AI
a university and in what ways you can
itself more effectively.’ Dewulf adds: ‘As a
and energy using strategic impulse pro-
cooperate. In order to simplify and fa-
university, we can only realise true impact
grammes. These are coalitions made up of
cilitate this information provision and
when researchers bring us in at an early
many different partners from businesses, re-
interaction between external parties
stage. I should note that we do try to ma
search institutes or educational institutions.’
and the university, SBD has taken the
nage people’s expectations: not every idea is strategically relevant enough to go all-in on.’
initiative to set up a special ‘platform’
Indirect impact
for this purpose. The platform will
‘For major consortia or cooperative allianc-
provide optimal access to the UT’s
es, it takes years before we can finally reap
expertise and bring together many of
What is strategically relevant? Dewulf:
the rewards of our efforts. Furthermore, the
the UT’s ‘business’ components in a
‘We are developing feelers for that. We see
faculties are the ones who benefit, not we,’
single portal.
what is going on in The Hague, at the Dutch
says Kerpisci. Nevertheless, SBD’s indirect
Research Council and in Europe and trans-
impact can be measured to some extent,
This is in line with the UT’s vision of
late those opportunities into UT research.
he continues. ‘We monitor the satisfaction
‘Shaping 2030’ to involve companies,
Vice versa, we also assist with the optimal
of the scientists and businesses who come
organizations and institutions more
embedding of scientific ideas in our society.’
to us for help and the effect of our training
closely in education, research and
Kerpisci: ‘Especially for the impact team, it
sessions. We also record how many port-
valorization. In time, the platform
is all about exploring and probing. Working
folios we manage and how many strategic
will also offer opportunities for more
together with businesses calls for trust and
partnerships we enter into. The number of
activities, for example by facilitating
a long-term perspective, as well as the abili-
cooperative alliances and subsidy applica-
thematic knowledge and innovation
ty to adapt quickly when the world suddenly
tions we play a part in is a directly mea
hubs, round table conferences, training
changes - as it did last year.’ That coordi-
surable target.’
courses, scouting, matchmaking,
nating role is very important at SBD, Dewulf
Dewulf: ‘Of course, it is important to bring
various challenges, think tanks and
explains: ‘Funding applications are also
in more indirect government funding and
other affiliate and membership
becoming increasingly complex. In the past,
commercial funding, but our mission is more
programmes. In this way, experiences
you would ask budget for a couple of PhD
comprehensive than that. We want to give
and expertise will be shared, learning
candidates. Today, it is about funding entire
scientists the chance to shine so that the
from each other and access to talent
consortia and a diversity of resources. SBD
UT maintains its leading role and for the
is provided. It also stimulates the for-
plays a proactive and coordinating role in this
betterment of society: healthier, more sus-
mation of partnerships and consortia,
process. We combine everyone’s strengths
tainable and more liveable. To do that, the
in order to jointly submit successful
and feed the strategic discussion about
entire UT community has to contribute. In
applications for research and innova-
what we should focus on as a university.’
the end, everyone should feel part of SBD to
tion projects.
Exploring and probing
Showcase
some extent.’
Kerpisci sees that SBD is not only involved in research, but also in the development of education. ‘We are exploring the role we can play in life-long learning projects and e.g. the ECIU cooperative alliance, which
SBD TEAM VIEW
centres around challenge-based learning,
‘I like my job because it makes me touch upon many different research topics and technology fields, which makes it a very stimulating working environment.’
research and innovation. We recently began setting up a one-stop shop, a platform for everything the UT has to offer to businesses and institutions in terms of business and
Andrea Guarise
innovation (see text box). This platform will
EU Grants Advisor
U-TODAY
2021
27
